Oil Markets – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Europe's 19th sanctions package has promised to shut the door on the last remaining flows of Russian energy still trading into the region, including butane and isobutane that was previously exempted from import bans. From Jan 2026, the new LPG embargo will force lead buyer Poland to find alternatives to Russian supplies, adding support to an already tight European market.

Associate Director, Pricing, for EMEA Clean Refined Products Gary Clark joins LPG Pricing Specialist Barbara Fernandez-Pita and London Oil News Reporter Kelly Norways to discuss Polish preparations for the move, alternative supply routes and potential LPG outlets for an increasingly distressed Russian energy sector.

The US has ramped up its naval presence in the Caribbean, following several strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coast of major oil producer Venezuela. Yet oil prices have barely budged as Latin American production continues to ramp up. What is the role of Guyana and Argentina's emerging crudes, and how do flows to destinations like India fit into Trump's strategy? How are Permian operators responding to sustained low prices? 

Jeff Mower unpacks how low oil prices play into the Trump administration's military push in the Caribbean, along with Latin America oil markets reporter Jada Johnson and senior news reporters Ashok Dutta and Eamonn Brennan. 

Links:

Vasconia FOB Colombia PCAGI00
Castilla Blend FOB Colombia AAVEQ00
Golden Arrowhead FOB Guyana GOLAH00
Liza FOB Guyana ALIZA00

APPEC to look at Asia's changing energy narrative amid tariffs and transition

Navigating trade, technology and transition—that's the theme of this year's Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference, or APPEC 2025, by S&P Global Commodity Insights. It is scheduled to take place during September 8-11 in Singapore, where CEOs, government officials and market experts will share their insights on geopolitical influences on energy markets, technological innovation, and disruptions, redefined decarbonization strategies and price outlooks. Delegates will also seek answers on how Asia is navigating a multi-faceted energy future to ensure energy security at a time when many countries are faced with high trade tariffs and sanctions on energy producers are either limiting or diverting energy flows.

In this episode of Platts Oil Markets Podcast ahead of APPEC, Asia energy editor Sambit Mohanty discusses with Vera Blei, head of Market Reporting and Trading Solutions, Calvin Lee, head of Asia Content, and Pulkit Agarwal, head of India Content, some of the key themes that will dominate discussions at APPEC.

Related links:

APPEC 2025 - Register your interest

The West African Gasoline market is about to undergo major transformations. Belgium has proposed new environmental measures to suspend low-quality motor fuel exports, following similar move by the Netherlands. Will consumers like Nigeria turn to alternative blending hubs, or resign themselves to higher prices at the pump?

In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, London-based downstream reporter Kelly Norways and gasoline editor Matthew Tracey-Cook join Joel Hanley to discuss the impacts of these new regulations and how the markets have reacted so far.

Related price assessments:
AAKUV00 –  Platts Gasoline FOB NWE West Africa Cargo
PGABM00 – Platts Gasoline Prem Unleaded 10ppm FOB ARA Barge

Further reading:
Belgium moves to prohibit export of low-quality motor fuels to Africa
Imports of gasoline into Nigeria to meet 200 ppm sulfur cap: sources

The lifting of Venezuelan oil sanctions by the US has sparked a series of reactions in the upstream market. S&P Global expects an increase of roughly 100,000 b/d in crude exports from Venezuela to 850,000 b/d. 

Jeff Mower, director of Americas oil news, sits down with Americas crude markets editor Patrick Harrington and Mexico energy editor Sheky Espejo to discuss the sanctions and the impact their lifting will have on competing Mexican and Canadian crude grades.

European fuel oil sulfur spreads surged in October as events further afield spurred opposing price movements for low- and high-sulfur fuel grades. A sudden easing of US oil and gas sanctions on Venezuela has sent high sulfur markets tumbling, while a mysterious shift in exports from Kuwait hit low sulfur markets in the Middle East and Asia, all against the backdrop of a gentle wind-down to an unusual European summer.
In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, Francesco Di Salvo is joined by Managing Editor for fuel oil Rowan Staden-Coats.

Related price assessments:
PUABC00 - FO 3.5%S FOB Rdam Barge
PUMFD00 - Marine Fuel 0.5% FOB Rdam Barge $/mt

Oil market volatility amid the conflict in the Middle East has started to ring alarm bells for Asian refiners. Hamas' surprise attack on Israel has fanned worries of a long-drawn period of geopolitical turbulence at a time when global oil markets are already been facing a squeeze in supplies, while demand continues to grow. This has rekindled the debate on oil crossing the $100/b threshold again. 

S&P Global Commodity Insights' Asia energy editor Sambit Mohanty speaks with Kang Wu, head of global demand and Asia analytics, and Daniel Colover, head of market engagement for the Middle East, on how some of the recent geopolitical developments, including the removal of sanctions on Venezuela, could potentially affect Asian oil markets.

Geopolitical tensions are, once again, spooking oil markets, with the Israel-Hamas war dominating all discussions. Even with the impact of the armed conflict so far restricted to the Mediterranean, market players are increasingly concerned about the potential for escalation, which is being reflected in rising insurance premiums.
 
In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, Andy Critchlow, the London-based head of the S&P Global Commodity Insights news team, and oil and freight reporters Nadia Bliznikova and Lei Zhong join Joel Hanley to discuss the impact of a conflict that evokes memories of major oil crises in the past. 

Related price assessments:
AAWYZ00 - ULSD 10ppmS CIF Med Cargo
PFADB10 -  Clean Med-Med 30kt MR Wsc

As mentioned in the episode, explore our Energy Security Sentinel™ and see how disruptions affect energy flows in the region.

After sanctions on Russia in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine, Brazil started sourcing 78% of its imports from Russia. But in mid-September, Russia announced a ban on refined product exports to ease its own domestic fuel prices. It quickly changed course, however, partially lifting the ban in early October to free up storage for winter grade diesel and to offload remaining summer product. Now, the Brazilian market must decide whether to trust Russia as a steady source of fuel or to to return to the more reliable US Gulf Coast for diesel supply.

S&P Global Commodity Insights' light ends pricing manager Sarah Hernandez, middle distillates manager Jordan Daniel, and Latin America refined products reporter Maria Jimenez Moya discuss how Russia lifting its diesel ban is affecting trade flows in Brazil. 

Links:
(NEW) AULDA00 - ULSD DAP South Brazil (All-Origin) $/bbl
Join us on Platts Connect

Global fuel markets were set to receive another shockwave when Russia announced a ban on diesel and gasoline exports amid tight domestic supplies. Brazil and other importers of Russian diesel were expected to suffer the most. But judging by the falling prices, things are not going quite as some had expected.

In this episode of the Platts Oil Markets podcast, London-based oil news reporter Elza Turner and oil price reporters Matthew Tracey-Cook and Sasha Foss join Francesco Di Salvo to discuss the market's reaction to a ban that many traders doubt Russia can stick to for much longer.

Related price assessments:
AAVBG00 - ULSD 10ppmS CIF NWE Cargo
AULDA00 - ULSD DAP South Brazil (All-Origin)
AAQZV00 - Gasoline Eurobob FOB AR Barge

Read more: Russian authorities discussing easing diesel export ban: energy minister